debbie dean. worst picture book ever i wrote a
TRANSCRIPT
Developing Writers
Debbie Dean
Worst Picture Book Ever
I wrote a . . .
I wrote a . . .
I wrote a . . .
The ShadowIt’s lonely where I live, an old house a long way from anywhere. That’s why I got a dog. He keeps me company.
Last night the moon was full, and it cast shadows. We took a shortcut through the woods, into the meadow beyond. I let him off leash to run. He came back holding something.
“Drop it,” I ordered, and he did. I felt sick. Somebody behind me said, “That’s mine. Don’t
turn around.” Then the shadow beside mine was gone, and my
dog whimpered in the moonlight.~ Neil Gaiman Half-Minute Horrors
Modes and Genres
“Good writers know what kind of thing they are making with writing. They can answer the question, should someone ask, ‘what have I read in the world that is like what you are trying to write?’ No one I know would answer that question with words like narrative or persuasive or expository. These words simply aren’t operational for people who write. They aren’t the terms writers use to talk about or think about the writing they are producing. . . . Mode words don’t actually name the kinds of things people make with writing, so by themselves they don’t give anyone a vision for writing. Genre words do that work much better.”
~Katie Wood Ray
Common Core Modes: Argument
Common Core Modes: Informational
Common Core Modes: Narration
Genres
Only about literary texts
Only forms Fixed Sortable into precise
categories Classification systems
Social Rhetorical Dynamic Historical Cultural Situated Ideological
Are NOT. . . ARE. . .
Genres that fit
What genres would fit each of the three modes listed in Common Core?
Argument Informational NarrativeOp-Ed Wikipedia EntryMemoir
Narrative: personal narrative, fiction, historical fiction,
fantasy, narrative memoir, biography, narrative nonfiction.
Persuasive/Opinion/Argument: persuasive letter, review, personal essay, persuasive essay, literary essay, historical essay, petition, editorial, op-ed column, public service announcement.
Informational: fact sheet, news article, feature article, blog, website, report, analytic memo, research report, nonfiction book, how-to book, directions, recipe, lab report. ~Pathways to the Common Core
More genres?
Genre and Flexibility, even Creativity
“To use a genre, then, like using language, is to say or write something never before said or written using generic patterns that have often before been used.”
“To conform to . . . expectations entails consequences”
“To subvert those expectations entails consequences”
“Genre encourages and even makes possible creativity.”~ Amy Devitt
Genres that shift
Letters Letter to my grandmother telling about my vacation
(narrative) Letter to the brake repair chain asking for my money
back (argument) Letter to parents telling them about upcoming unit
(informative)
PublicService Announcement
http://
www.coolinfographics.com/blog/2012/5/29/the-history-and-beginnings-of-memorial-day.html
Infographics
Genres that shift
What genres could fit more than one of the modes listed in Common Core?
Argument Informational NarrativeBrochure BrochureHow-to How-to How-to
Photo Essays
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1938690,00.html
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/photo-essay-where-children-sleep-204230454.html?vm=r
http://thephotoessay.com/chiyin/v1.html http://lightbox.time.com/2012/06/25/weather-or-not-a-week-o
f-umbrellas-around-the-world/#1 http://world.time.com/2012/06/14/sri-lankas-elephant-shortag
e/
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=zombie-creatures-parasites
What are the characteristics? How are different purposes reflected?
Content: strategies for knowing, for content
development, for thinking and questioning and wondering and seeking possible answers
Genre: strategies for knowing the expectations of how to write what we now know, for exploring the genres we will use to share and the audiences we will share with, for GETTING A VISION.
Two kinds of Inquiry
Books, Books, Books
What books have you read that have made a difference in your life, your thinking, your attitudes. . . ?
Says-Does
What does the text say?
What is the text doing?
Adds Analyzes Argues Asks Cites Compares Connects Continues Contradicts Contrasts Demonstrates Describes Details Dramatizes Elaborates Evaluates Explains Expresses
Extends Generalizes Illustrates Informs Interprets Lists Narrates Predicts Projects Proposes Questions Reflects Repeats Speculates Summarizes Supports Synthesizes
Let’s write!
Reflection
We brainstormed, free-wrote, talked with a partner, did a says-does, and listed product goals. What strategy did we practice that helped you the most with your writing?
In what other writing situation could you use this strategy—and how do you think it will help you? Be specific and thorough.
Writing Next
1. Writing strategies2. Summarizing3. Collaborative writing4. Specific Product Goals5. Word Processing6. Sentence Combining7. Prewriting8. Inquiry activities9. Process Writing Approach10. Study of Models11. Writing for content learning
“Revision is about change, not mutilation.
When your hair gets mussed, you don’t shave your head.” ~ Vicki Spandel
Implementing Change
Our goal? Developing effective
writers